What in the world happened to the bottom half of the conference? What is going on in Lawrence? Oklahoma’s post-season hopes are looking as strong as ever, while their state neighbor’s is fading fast.
1. Oklahoma Sooners (25-6, 4-2) Last Week: 2
The Sooners taking two of three from the Red Raiders is impressive. We’ve been saying all year the Sooners are better than we think and they proved it this weekend. The momentum Oklahoma is carrying right now, winning the rubber game in walk-off fashion, with a HR over the #3 team in the country should be able to carry them through Oral Roberts, mid-week, and Texas this upcoming weekend. (Prediction: OU wins series over Texas 2-1)
2. TCU Horned Frogs (22-5, 8-1) Last Week: 3
A sweep of Kansas State, and their 8th win in a row, finds TCU back up to #2 in our power rankings. And though they almost run-ruled the Wildcats on Sunday, if there is one chink in the armor is that K-State forced extra-innings on Friday and Saturday. If it wasn’t for good pitching (or woefully inept hitting by K-State) the 0-0 contests could have been a lot different. TCU faces Murray St this weekend and looks for a chance to extend their win streak to double digits. (Prediction: TCU sweeps Murray St)
3. Texas Tech Red Raiders (25-6, 4-2) Last Week: 1
This one hurt. Though if we look in the box score it’s not as bad as it seems, especially losing in walk-off fashion on Sunday. With Davis Martin missing his start (tendinitis), Tanner Gardner missing the entire series (ankle) and an ugly first inning on Sunday, the Red Raiders were definitely not playing at full strength. Even so, credit due to the Sooners for once again handling their business and knocking Tech out of the top spot. Tech welcomes Baylor to Lubbock this weekend. Good chance for the rebound. (Prediction: Tech wins series over Baylor 2-1)
4. West Virginia Mountaineers (15-10, 4-2) Last Week: 4
West Virginia is about .00000000001 points away from overtaking Tech at #3. I guess it’s the homer in me that can’t allow Tech to fall 3 spots due to one bad series. However, here come the Mountaineers who are once again proving the VTM staff correct by taking two of three from Oklahoma State in Stillwater! Other than their awful all navy uniforms, you kinda have to pull for this team that was completely written off early in the season. West Virginia welcomes Kansas to Morgantown next weekend. (Prediction: WVU wins series over KU 2-1)
5. Kansas Jayhawks (12-15, 3-3) Last Week: 9
What is going on in Lawrence? Kansas has Texas’ number this year. The Jayhawks beat Texas in football, swept Texas in basketball, and now has won a series over Texas in baseball. Whatever the Jayhawks are doing... Texas Tech needs to take note. It may be short lived, but as the only team on the bottom five to win a series, this puts them squarely in at #5 even if it is for just one week. Kansas goes to Morgantown this weekend. (Prediction: KU loses series to WVU 1-2)
6. Oklahoma State Cowboys (16-11, 1-5) Last Week: 6
Stink. They were all close games, but you really need to win your home series. OSU’s post season hopes are fading fast and there is no more room for error now that April has arrived. Luckily, they face K-State this weekend who has yet to tally their first conference victory. I think OSU drops one this weekend, but will be shocked if they drop the series. The Cowboys need this one bad. (Prediction: OSU wins series over KSU 2-1)
7. Texas Longhorns (19-12, 4-5) Last Week: 5
Stank. Horrible year in Texas athletics to get swept in the big 3 of sports by Kansas. Basketball? Okay. But football and baseball? These truly are dark days in Austin. Texas is better than this and I would like to say this was just a baseball fluke that tends to happen, but it’ll be a tough rebound weekend as they host the Sooners who are riding high after their walk-off win over Tech on Sunday. Can they pull out a series win? Doubt it. (Prediciton: Texas loses series to OU 1-2)
8. Baylor Bears (19-9, 2-4) Last Week: 7
Stunk. Losing their third straight series, Baylor is truly in a death spiral. If Kansas keeps improving they may find themselves permanently in the 8-9 position in our power rankings. Baylor is in extreme jeopardy of losing their fourth straight as they travel to Lubbock to face the Red Raiders. If they get swept in Lubbock, they may be in last place next week. (Prediction: Baylor loses series to Texas Tech 1-2)
9. Kansas State Wildcats (15-13, 0-6) Last Week: 8
“I wouldn’t touch you with a...” ok but seriously, I did not see K-State falling off the deep end. I had them ping-ponging from 5-7 most of the year, but a sweep at the hands of TCU and a KU series win over Texas has them as our new rock bottom team. It’ll be tough for K-State to rebound with Oklahoma State and Texas Tech as their next two conference opponents, but unless something crazy keeps happening, they should creep back up to #8 before the season ends. (Prediction: K-State loses series to OSU 1-2)
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